BASIC INFORMATION

Students enrolled in the Special Education program have different regulations that may or may not be consistent with the information listed on this web site. For more information on Special Education regulations, please contact your local Board of Education or visit your local Board's web site by clicking on the corresponding links throughout this page.

Also, for each of the subtopics listed in this section, be sure to click on the link for your county as each county has policies local to that particular jurisdiction.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

What are my rights as a student?  See your Student Handbook.

• Right to an education.
• Right to freedom of expression.
• Right to participate in patriotic exercises.
• Right to freedom from corporal punishment.
• Right to due process and appeal.
• Right to freedom from harassment and discrimination.
• Right to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure of property.
• Right to confidentiality of and access to student records.

TRUANCY

Maryland law requires all children between the ages of 5 and 16 who live in this state to attend school unless excused with a lawful absence.

An absence is determined in full and half days. A full day is when you are absent more than one hour of the school day. An absence is when you are present one hour or less of the school day. A half-day is when you are present more than one hour and absent more than one hour.

Legal consequences can occur when a student is unlawfully truant from school for any number or portion of days exceeding 20% of the school days within a marking period.

What are some reasons that a student is lawfully absent?

• Death in the immediate family
• Illness
• Suspension
• Court summons
• Hazardous weather conditions
• Observance of a religious holiday

SEARCHES

A school administrator, in the presence of another person, may search a student on school premises or on a school sponsored trip if he/she reasonably believes that a student has in his/her possession any item the possession of which is a criminal offense under state laws or a school board policy.

What are a few items that are illegal for students to possess?

• Weapons
• Illegal Drugs
• Alcohol
• Pornographic material

A school administrator may search the school building and its surroundings as well as a student's locker-even without a reasonable suspicion. The school building and the lockers are classified as school property.

ENROLLMENT

Students between the ages of 5 and 16 must be enrolled in school. Some reasons why students may withdraw from school include:

• Illness*
• Discipline*
• Poor performance - must be at least 16 years of age
• Lack of interest - must be at least 16 years of age
• Expulsion
• Death
• Transfer to another school
• Transfer to home schooling

*These withdrawals from school are intended to be temporary.